M. Laskshman

An uncompromising reverence and adherence to the tradition set by Sri Palghat Mani Iyer has earned laurels for Lakshman from top notch artistes of carnatic music such as Dr. T.K. Murthy, Shri Guruvayoor Dorai, Sri Mannargudi Easwaran, Sri T.N. Krishnan, Sri M. chandrasekaran, Sri Unnikrishnan, Sri K.S. Gopalakrishnan, Sri Nagarajan, Sri GJR Krishnan, Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Sri Ganesh & Kumaresh, Sri M.A. Sunderaswaran, Sri Umayalpuram Mali, Sri Melkaveri Balaji, Sri DoraiSwamy Iyengar, Sri R. Prasanna, Prof. T.R. Subramaniam and Dr. L. Subramaniam.

M. Lakshman is a devout disciple of Sri T.R. Rajamani (S/o the illustrious Palghat Mani Iyer) for the past 20 years in whom he has found a great teacher, friend, philosopher and a guide to be a complete musician in every respect.

Born in Cochin, Kerala, Lakshman hails from a family deeply rooted in music. His father, Sri K. Mahadevan is a regular performer over AIR Trichur and is a noted critique with The Hindu and the Indian Express. His mother, Valli Mahadevan teaches music. His twin brother Raman is a gifted violinist and together they have performed over the radio and in concerts in India and the U.S.A.

Starting at the early age of 6, He had his initial lessons from Late Sri Narayana Iyer and later under Sri Parassala Ravi. At the age of 14, what Lakshman considers a stroke of good fortune was the chance to be under the tutelage of Sri T.R Rajamani. A sincere and uncompromising teacher, Sri Rajamani’s meticulous and unique style of teaching has groomed Lakshman into a promising mridangist. Careful analysis of Sri Mani Iyer's style of play under the watchful eyes of Sri Rajamani has helped Lakshman imbibe the very essence of the tradition set by the doyen.

Lakshman is a graded AIR mridangist and has performed regularly over the radio and sabhas in India and the U.S.A. while in India; he has accompanied the violin duo of Sri Ganesh and Kumaresh. Also he has accompanied and earned the accolade of the famed vainika Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar for a sensitive performance.

Lakshman has accompanied the much acclaimed Dr. L. Subramaniam in concerts in major cities in the U.S. He has accompanied carnatic stalwarts such as Prof. T.R. Subramaniam, and Suguna Purushottam during a part of their U.S tour. He also accompanied famed Carnatic guitarist Sri R. Prasanna in several cities in the U.S and Canada. Recently, Lakshman took part in a 5 City European tour along with Sri. R. Prasanna. He took part in the ’99 music season at Chennai performing at Karthik Fine Arts, Hamswadhwani and Nandhi Fine Arts performing with artistes such as Lalitha Nandhini (Violin duo), Prasanna, Soumya Kumar and Iyer brothers (Veena duo). He has participated in Thyagaraja Aradhanas conducted in many of the major cities in the U.S.

As homage to his guru, Lakshman maintains a web site in honor of Sri Palghat Mani Iyer.

He lives in Memphis TN, teaches mridangam and continues to accompany several top artists from the Indian classical carnatic world. Lakshman envisions popularizing the Carnatic music system and strives to expand the boundaries of global music through his tradition.

Parents: Smt. Valli and Sri. Mahadeva Iyer for both artists
 
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